# Scene III explained — The Two Gentlemen of Verona

> Chapter companion for The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Launce laments his departure, using a comedic routine with his shoes and staff to represent his weeping family, while his dog Crab remains unmoved. Panthino urges him to hurry to the ship, but Launce continues his wordplay before finally agreeing to go.

## Themes in this chapter

### Travel and Experience

Launce's departure for Milan with Proteus initiates the journey that will test loyalties and relationships.

## Character check-ins

### Launce

Delivers a comedic monologue about his family's tearful farewell and his dog's lack of emotion, then is urged by Panthino to board the ship.

### Crab

Launce's dog, described as sourest-natured and pitiless for not weeping at the parting.

### Panthino

Sent to fetch Launce and hurry him to the ship, engaging in punning banter about losing the tide.

## Key lines

> I have received my proportion, like the prodigious son, and am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperial’s court.

I have received my share of the inheritance, like the prodigal son, and am setting off with Sir Proteus to the emperor's court.

_Launce compares himself to the biblical prodigal son, emphasizing his reluctant departure._

> This shoe is my father: no, this left shoe is my father: no, no, this left shoe is my mother: nay, that cannot be so neither: yes, it is so, it is so, it hath the worser sole.

This shoe represents my father—no, this left shoe is my father—actually, this left shoe is my mother—well, that doesn't work either—yes it does, because it has the worse sole.

_Launce comically assigns family members to objects, punning on 'sole' and 'soul.'_

> Lose the tide, and the voyage, and the master, and the service, and the tied! Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with my tears; if the wind were down, I could drive the boat with my sighs.

Lose the tide, the voyage, the master, the service, and the tied dog! If the river were dry, I could fill it with my tears; if the wind stopped, I could propel the boat with my sighs.

_Launce puns on 'tide' and 'tied,' then hyperbolically claims his emotions could power the journey._

## Links

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